Independent Television

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has any plans to include in legislation a timetable for achieving 25 per cent. independent television production; if he will make it his policy that once this target is reached he will seek to increase it; and if he will make a statement.

We have sought and received a commitment from the BBC and IBA that, subject to satisfaction in cost and quality, 25 per cent. of original television output will be commissioned from independent producers by the end of 1992. There are no plans to include that target in legislation, but we attach great importance to its achievement and are in close touch with broadcasters and independent producers to monitor progress.

Our White Paper on broadcasting proposes that from 1993 there should be a statutory requirement on all Channel 3 and 5 licensees for a minimum of 25 per cent. of original programming to come from independent producers. We will discuss with the BBC in due course the appropriate level of their commissioning from independent producers from 1993.